BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The UAB softball team defeated Samford and Birmingham-Southern on Sunday to clinch the 2006 Magic City Classic title for the fourth time in school history. The Blazers swept the final day of competition at the BSC Softball Park and have now won five of their last six games. UAB finishes the tournament with a 9-6 overall mark and had four players named to the all-tournament team.

"We are very excited to win both games today and did a great job putting the bat on the ball," said UAB head coach Marla Townsend. "We were able to come up with some key hits today and pick up some big RBI's. Our opponents have scored first in every game this weekend but we remained confident and played well under pressure. The pitching staff did a great job of getting ground balls and not allowing walks. This weekend gives us a lot of confidence heading into conference play."

In game one against Samford, UAB fell behind quickly in the second inning. Erin Hall came up big for the Bulldogs, hitting a three-run home run to left field. It was Hall's second round tripper this season.

Freshman Jacy Leon singled to right field to lead off the third inning and freshman Kayla Harris followed with a fielder's choice to third to force the runner out at second. With one out and a runner at first, junior Lindsay Stanley hit into a sacrifice bunt to advance Harris to second. Senior Chelsea McCall continued the rally with an infield single.

UAB scored its first run on the play after McCall rounded first and got into a run down between first and second base. Harris made a heads up play to advance to third on the single and stole home during the run down. When play finally stopped the Blazers had pushed across a run and McCall escaped the pickle and stood at first.

Sophomore Holly Krzan followed McCall with an RBI double to pull the Blazers within one run at 3-2.

The Blazers offense came alive again in the fifth inning. Harris walked with one out and then UAB put together a string of three straight hits resulting in three runs. In the inning, Stanley had an infield single to the shortstop, McCall hit an RBI double to left center field and Holly Krzan lined a shot up the middle. With a 5-3 lead, UAB held on for the win.

UAB pitching was phenomenal following the three run home run in the second inning. Starter Kayla Harris allowing allowed two hits in the final 5.1 innings. Harris improved to 3-2 on the year with the win.

The top of the lineup was the most productive for the Blazers. Stanley, who was in the leadoff spot in the lineup, went 2-for-3 with a run scored. McCall hit second in the order and was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI, while Krzan was 2-for-2 with three RBI.

For their performances during the weekend, Krzan was named tournament Most Valuable Players, while McCall, Stanley and Jennifer Nelson all were named all-tournament.

The Blazers will continue non-conference play Tuesday against Troy in a doubleheader starting a 4 p.m. at George Ward Park. Complete coverage of UAB softball can be found at www.uabsports.com.